Milker support



L. DINESEN MILKER SUPPORT June 26, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 June 26, 1951 L. DINESEN 2,558,345

MILKER SUPPORT I Filed Feb. 24, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 26, 1951 OFFICE MILKER SUPPORT Laurits Dinesen, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Perfection Manufacturing Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application February 24, 1948, Serial No. 10,533

3 Claims. (01. 24-163) My invention relates to mechanical milkers and, more particularly, to improvements in adjustable means for suspending or supporting the same in milking position beneath the cow.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a novel structure of the type above described which will maintain the milk pail and mechanism associated therewith substantially free from swinging movements laterally of the cow, but which will permit free pivotal movements of the pail in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the cow.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel milk pail and means for suspending the same which will result in an increased pull on the teats of the cow as the height of the milk level within the pail increases.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of a novel adjustable buckle between the surcingle strap and the hanger bar, which will facilitate adjustment to animals of different sizes and physical characteristics.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a milker support embodying my invention in place on a cow and carrying a suspended milker;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the milking pail and associated parts of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in front elevation and partly in section, taken substantially on the line 4-l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a still further enlarged fragmentary perspective view with some parts being broken away and others shown in section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation, as seen from the line 'I'I of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective on an enlarged scale, illustrating the buckle means for adjusting the surcingle;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in section on a still further enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a tongue comprising a portion of the buckle means of Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral I indicates a flexible strap adapted to extend over the back of a cow with its free ends depending from opposite sides thereon 2 The numeral 2 indicates a rigid hanger bar, preferably formed from a steel rod or the like, having its opposite ends bent in the'form of loops 3 and 4. The looped end 3 is pivotally secured to one end of the strap I, as indicated at 5. The hanger bar 2 is arcuate in form and is of a length at least equal to the lateral thickness of the belly portion of a cow. The looped end 4 of the hanger bar 2 is removably anchored to the free end Ii of the strap I by means of a fixture comprising a rigid main body I and a rigid tongue 8.. At its lower end, the main body I is curved to form an upwardly-opening hook 9 which receives and supports the looped end 4 of the hanger bar 2. The upper end portion of the main body I is pierced to form an aperture I0 which, adjacent its bottom edge, is of a size to allow passage therethrough of the free end 6 of the strap I. It will be noted that the aperture II), at its upper edge, is reduced or restricted to provide a notch II. The tongue 8, at its opposite sides, is provided with a pair of ailgned notches I2 which are defined by laterally-extended side portions I3 and I4.

It will be observed that the tongue 8 is of a thickness to correspond approximately to the height of the reduced portion II of the aperture Ill, whereas the strap I is of a thickness approximating the height of the unreduced portion of the aperture I 0. Furthermore, it will be seen that the width of the tongue 8, between the portions I3 and I4, is slightly less than the width of the enlarged or unrestricted lower portion of the aperture I0, whereas the width of said tongue 8, intermediate the aligned notches I2, is only slightly less than the width of the restricted upper portion II of the aperture I0. This novel arrangement permits insertion of the tongue 8 into the aperture III by first inserting either of the enlarged ends I3 and I4 through the lower portion of the aperture In and then elevating the same into the reduced portion II, as shown partioularly in Fig. 8, wherein the notches I21 engage the sides of the reduced portion II of the aperture I II and wherein the extended portions I3 and I4 limit longitudinal movements of the tongue 8 within the aperture. Thereafter, and when the free end 6 of the strap I is inserted through the enlarged bottom portion of the aperture I0, it becomes impossible to remove the tongue 8 from its position overlying the strap I. An end cap I5 may be applied to the free end 6 of the strap I after its insertion in the aperture ID to prevent its being withdrawn therethrough. To prevent unnecessary binding of the strap I, the opposite ends of the tongue 8 are curved in opposite directions, as indicatedat I6.

As shown, particularly by reference to Figs. 8 and 9, the main body I of the fixture immediately underlying the aperture I ll is provided with When it is desired to suspend a milking machine or the like, such as indicated in its entirety'by' pulsator 3| and at its opposite end to a source of partial vacuum, not shown. Furthermore, and

- as shown, therear end of the milk pail projects the numeral I8 in Fig. 1, the flexible strap! is first positioned over the back of a cow, indicated by the letter a, so that the, free ends'thereoffare,

positioned on either side of the cow approximately at udder height, as shown by Fig. 1. The hanger bar 2 is then passed under the belly of the cow and the looped end 4 thereof droppedintothe.

open-ended hook 9 of the main body I. It will be noted that thestrap I is of a length to allow "the, hanger bar 2; to; underlie the belly of the cow 'in' spaced relation thereto. It will be also noted that the length of the hanger bar is such that there ,will be little; or no squeezing action on the belly of the cow as the weight of the milker [8 is applied thereto. Thereafter and in order to adjust this novel weight-carrying mechanism to the particular size and characteristics of a given cow, it is but necessary to relievethe tension between the belt J; and the main, bQdya-ndmove the belt I. through the aperture H) to the desired position. Such ,aposition will be maintained by putting any load uponthe hanger bar 2. Such load upon the hanger bar2, or the weight of the V hanger bar itself, will tend to straighten the strap I and cause a resultant rocking action of the tongue 8, w hereby to causethat end adjacent the sideportions Illof the tongue 8;to force the, belt ,1 against .the grippinglip I1 and lock the strap l' in the desired position.

To the intermediate portion of the hanger bar 2 is pivotally secured, through'the, medium of, a bearing sleeve l9, a laterally-opening hookelementZO which, as shown, is formed from a relatively heavy metallic rod and comprises a depending yoke 2.l rigidly secured to the bearing sleeve I9 and a pair ,of spaced laterally-extending supporting fingers. 22', which form a. wide base of upwardly and rearwardly' for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

The milking machine I8 is inserted laterally onto the hook element 2|] so that the supporting fingers 22 thereof come to rest against the desired tee 131129;; specifically as shown in Fig. 1. In this position v and after the teat cups 33 have been applied to the teats of the cow, as shown in Fig.

"l, themilking machine I8 is permitted rocking movements in a vertical plane longitudinally of the cow," but is prevented from swinging or twisting movements laterally vof the cow. Whereas lateral rocking movements are undesirable, rocking' movements 'ina yertical plane longitudinally of the'cow 'are important to allow tilting of the support and which are connected at their outer ends by an upwardly-bowed; connecting member '23; The laterally-extending fingers 22 and the connecting member 23', as shown, may be, covered with ,a relatively soft material, such as rubber tubing or the like 24.

, It will be noted that when the. han er bar is .depending from the cow a, the hook element 20 free for pivotal movements on an axis transversely of the cow a. Axial movements of the hook element Ziionthe hanger barfZ are limited by stop means in the nature of collars or the l ke r V The milk machine l8, preferably utilizedwith the above-described novel" arrangement, com- .prisesan elongated pail 26, preferably of a width to allowthe cow to kick past the sides thereof r without striking the same. The pail 26 is pro- ,videdatits intermediate portion with a longitudinally-extended handle element 21 hinged or otherwise secured thereto,v asindicated .at 28, and which preferably inclines, upwardly d e Iwardly. The under portion of, the handle, preferablyand as shown, is provided witha plurality of longitudinally-spaced notches. formed b teeth 29, A djacent itsrear end, the milk pail 26. is preferably provided with. a removable cover 3i] to which is, secured the customary or conventional pulsator 3 l, milk-flow indicator'32, and a plurality of tea-t cups 33. Teat cups 33 areconnected to the cover by means of flexible rubber tubing 34. A- vacuum tube 35 is connected at one end tothe milkpailj26- so as to increase the pull on the teats of the cow-as the'milk levelfin the pail increases andfthe milking operation nears completion. To further assure such" action, I initiallyhang the milk pail 26 on hook element 29 in an approximately balanced" position. Thereafter, and as the fluid level'in the pail 26 increases, the rear end of the pail will tend todrop down, due to the increasingly greatenweight of the fluid in the rear end thereof, thus causing an ever-increasing pull on the tea'ts; ff

W'hilefI have de's ibed' a. commercial embodirnent of my inventionglit should be, obvious that 'the free endi of fsaidhanger bar and a transversely-extended "aperture adjacent its opposite end adap ted to slidably receive; the free end of said 'strapj one 'surface"of said strap frictionally engaging one, .side said aperture, the opposite side of .said'aperture being provided with a reduced notch, a rigid tongue extending transverselythroughsaid. aperture and snugly receivable within said notch'for limited rocking move- ,ments andfrictionally engaging the opposite side the aperture .islaterally offset in the direction of l the free end of the strapawhereby to provide a gripping lip against which the strap is forced by rocking, action flof said tongue when load is applied to. the strap. l

3. In a device of the class described; a flexible strap, a hangerbar secured at one end to one end of said strap, andafixture for adjustably connecting the free end of said. strap-tothe free end of said hanger bar, said fixture comprising a vertically-disposed. rigid main body having a hook at its lower end to receive the free end of said hanger bar, and .a transversely-extended aperture adjacent its upper end adapted to receive the free end of said strap, the lower surface of said aperture frictionally engaging one sideof said belt, said aperture being provided with a' reduced central downwardly-opening notch, and a plate-like =rigid tongue extending transversely through said aperture and snugly receivable within said notch for limiting rocking movements and friotionally engaging the opposite side of said belt, said belt being retained within said notch by engagement with said belt and being provided with means for preventing lateral and longitudinal movements thereof within said notch.

LAURITS DINESEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

6 UNITED STATES PA'I'ENIS Number Number 15 560,878

Name Date Ellsworth Oct. 6, 1891 De Laval Aug. 20, 1895 Foote Nov. 18, 1902 Ames Apr. 10, 1906 Groff Feb. 4, 1908 'Oowell Aug. 4, 1925 Schmitt et al Feb. 1, 1944 Babson Dec. 10, 1946 Stanke et a1 Feb. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France July 23, 1923 

